A new study finds that the high burden of typhoid fever in sub-Saharan African countries calls for stronger prevention strategies, including the use and implementation of typhoid conjugate vaccines. The study estimates that there are 12.5 to 16.3 million cases of typhoid every year with 140,000 deaths.
A new study published in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance found that pathogenic bacteria E. coli and A. baumannii employ shared and unique mechanisms to acquire resistance to antibiotics ciprofloxacin and GP6. The researchers developed a method to track the acquisition of drug resistance using whole genome sequencing, which revealed t...
Researchers found duplicated antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria from environments with higher antibiotic use, increasing the likelihood of evolution and resistance to new treatments. The study suggests using antibiotics more efficiently could address the growing antibiotic resistance crisis.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati finds that being in prison is a significant driver of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) transmission. The researchers identified molecular resistance patterns and defined recent transmissions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to control the MDR-TB epidemic in prisons.
Researchers will analyze publicly available data using machine learning and computational methods to identify key species in a healthy microbial community. They plan to use this information to design a healthy microbiome model and assess its response to diseases, which could lead to targeted therapies and improved medication absorption.
Researchers analyzed UK and Norway data on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, finding that antibiotic use amplifies the spread, but genetic makeup and environmental pressures are also crucial factors. The study suggests a more nuanced understanding of antibiotic resistance is needed to inform public health interventions.
Community antibiotic consumption in the EU increased by 18.8% between 2021 and 2022, reversing a significant decline seen during the pandemic. The resurgence of infections may have contributed to the rebound, but highlights the need for continued prudent use of antibiotics.
A study by Chiba University researchers found that combining pitavastatin with azoles significantly reduces Aspergillus infections in silkworm models. The results suggest a potential new treatment strategy against Aspergillus fumigatus, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.
A new study reveals a multi-drug resistant strain of E.coli, MDR ST131, can outcompete and displace other strains in the human gut. The research provides evidence that certain types of E.coli are more prone to developing antibiotic resistance, posing significant health risks.
Scientists sequenced nearly 600 Klebsiella samples and found two-thirds are K. pneumoniae, with carbapenem-resistant strains confined to clinical settings. Genomic surveillance informs control measures against treatment-resistant infections.
A study by Professor Mark Webber and his team found that the NRCS-A strain of Staphylococcus capitis is commonly carried on the skin and in the gut of uninfected neonatal babies, making transmission between babies within NICUs likely. The bacteria's unique genes allow it to survive in the gut, making cleaning the skin ineffective.
In Eritrea, a new artemisinin-resistant variant has been detected, accompanied by gene deletions that render rapid diagnostic tests ineffective. This emergence poses a significant threat to malaria control efforts in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Researchers have discovered a new plasmid in epidemic Vibrio cholerae samples that introduces genes encoding resistance to multiple antibiotics. The finding underscores the importance of genomic surveillance and suggests that the strain's stability poses a concerning factor for future outbreaks.
Researchers have discovered a unique adhesin in Candida auris that enables it to stick to surfaces and cause disease. The study found that this adhesin, SCF1, is essential for colonization and virulence, suggesting a potential target for anti-fungal therapy.
A new study by the CDI Lab at NIH has assessed the rise of hypervirulent strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a deadly bacteria that can cause pneumonia and UTIs. The study found that a vaccine approach could be effective in combating these new strains.
Philip Low, a Purdue University researcher, is working on validating a previously successful malaria treatment by reducing the number of days required for therapy. His goal is to prevent drug-resistant strains from proliferating and save lives in developing countries.
A Pittsburgh-based surveillance system detected a drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection linked to artificial tears months before the national public health alert. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of whole genome sequencing-based surveillance in detecting outbreaks and preventing nationwide cases.
Scientists have detected new strains of malaria-causing parasites in Ethiopia that are resistant to current treatments and escape detection by common diagnostic tests. The prevalence of these double-resistant parasites is a concern for malaria control and elimination efforts in Africa, where the disease remains endemic.
Researchers have found that certain strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae are more likely to survive in blood and serum than others, while neutrophils are less effective at killing them. The study suggests a vaccine approach for prevention/treatment of infections may be feasible.
Researchers found that the incidence of gut-colonizing ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli increased in Seattle-area women over age 50, affecting about 1 in 5 women. The study suggests prioritizing strategies to control drug-resistant E. coli's ability to colonize the gut.
Researchers find that Acinetobacter baumannii can achieve significant functional modifications in protein complexes over short evolutionary time spans, particularly in hair-like cell appendages. This diversity may affect the pathogen's interaction with its environment and inform personalized therapies.
Researchers found that antimicrobial resistance emerges from selection for pre-existing resistant clones, not new mutations. Infections with multiple pathogen clones show increased resistance to antibiotics, but also potential for faster loss of resistance when no antibiotics are present.
A recent study confirmed which genes in the HiVir cluster are essential and which contribute partially to the disease. The toxin produced by Pantoea ananatis has broad-spectrum activity, potentially targeting conserved functions within plants.
A recent study found that seven per cent of Aspergillus fumigatus samples from the Three Parallel Rivers region in Yunnan, China were drug resistant, capable of propagating quickly and taking over local populations.
A recent study published in JAMA found that continuous meropenem administration did not improve mortality rates or reduce the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria in critically ill patients with sepsis. The results suggest that intermittent administration may be a more effective treatment strategy for this condition.
Research from Boston Medical Center found that pulmonary tuberculosis enhances HIV antibody responses and increases the prevalence of antibody-resistant strains. This study has significant implications for HIV vaccines and antibody-based therapies, highlighting the need for novel strategies to generate broad and potent antibodies.
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific found that carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) contaminated the entire ICU, with samples detected on bed units, ventilators, and equipment. The researchers highlight the urgent need for targeted infection prevention and control measures to stem the global...
A Spanish study found that 40% of supermarket meat samples contained multidrug-resistant E. coli, including strains capable of causing severe infections in people. The study highlights the need for regular assessment and farm-level interventions to reduce the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food-producing animals.
Researchers at Pusan National University have created a new algorithm that can accurately predict ice resistance and fracture points for ships navigating through the Arctic shipping routes. The model uses an elastic material approach, allowing it to study continuous ice-breaking processes, which is essential for efficient navigation.
Brazilian researchers identified genes that make industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae SA-1 resistant to fermentation inhibitors generated during sugarcane bagasse preprocessing. The study paves the way for increased efficiency of second-generation ethanol production.
Scientists detected the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella sonnei strains in France, primarily among men who have sex with men. XDR isolates are resistant to virtually all antibiotics, requiring complex treatment and hospitalization.
Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.
The study reveals that more than 70% of patients developed urinary tract infections caused by endogenous E. coli strains from their own gut microbiota. The researchers also found that non-lactose-fermenting E. coli strains, less common in other countries, were present in the gut microbiota of some patients.
Researchers developed synthetic peptide nanonets that selectively entrap bacteria, rendering them vulnerable to antimicrobial components. The nanonets displayed both trapping and killing functionalities, demonstrating potential as an anti-infective strategy.
Researchers at Rice University have developed light-activated nanoscale drills that can kill pathogenic fungi, providing a potential new treatment option for fungal infections. The molecular machines target the mitochondria of fungal cells, disrupting cellular metabolism and leading to cell death.
Researchers successfully treated a young man with recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis caused by Mycoplasma genitalium using chloramphenicol. The patient showed improvement after 14 days of treatment, despite initial failure with first and second-line antibiotics.
A study found that 'harmless' Listeria innocua strains are developing resistance to temperature, pH, dehydration and other stresses, as well as hypervirulence similar to pathogenic L. monocytogenes. The strains were collected from raw, dried and processed meats at commercial food processing facilities in South Africa.
A post-pandemic outbreak of a drug-resistant fungus in Brazil was linked to the misuse of medications and full ICUs. The study found that 90% of infected patients had strains resistant to fluconazole and echinocandins, leading to high mortality rates.
Researchers have found that hypermucoviscous K pneumoniae strains carry higher rates of virulence genes and are less responsive to conventional drugs. These strains are thicker and stickier than previous strains, making them more challenging to treat with antibiotics.
Scientists at the University of Bath have discovered a novel polyamine that destroys MRSA superbug Staphylococcus aureus by disrupting its cell membrane, rendering it susceptible to antibiotics. The compound is also effective against biofilm and has shown promise as a potential new treatment option for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers at KAUST have identified thermophilic bacteria with potential to degrade oil contamination. The study reveals that certain bacteria can secrete surfactants and absorb emulsified petroleum into their cells for degradation via enzymatic activity.
Researchers have engineered an enzyme that can degrade the capsule of antibiotic-resistant B. anthracis bacteria, making it susceptible to the immune system. The new treatment, which combines the enzyme with a mouse antibody, shows promise in treating anthrax infections without antibiotics.
Researchers developed a light-based therapy, photodynamic therapy (aPDT), to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The treatment showed promise in weakening bacteria, allowing lower doses of current antibiotics to effectively eliminate them.
Researchers have developed a systematic strategy for creating phage-resistant E. coli strains, solving a major problem in industrial fermentation. The approach integrates a defense system and mutations to restrict phage life cycle, maintaining bacterial functionality and productivity.
Researchers have designed a phage combination therapy that precisely targets and suppresses gut bacteria associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The team identified effective phages against IBD-contributing Kp strains, which attenuated inflammation and tissue damage in mice models.
A team of scientists has discovered the genetic mechanism behind the emergence of highly resistant fungal strains, such as Cryptococcus neoformans. The researchers found that transposon mobility is controlled by small interfering RNA (siRNA), and that disabling siRNA can lead to resistance.
NC State researchers discovered a new way to make the difficult-to-characterize gut bacterium Bifidobacterium more responsive to antibiotics. They also found tiny changes in different strains that reflect large differences in their characteristics, highlighting the need for individualized CRISPR-based genome engineering approaches.
A highly antibiotic-resistant strain of MRSA has emerged in livestock over the past 50 years, primarily due to widespread antibiotic use in pig farming. The CC398 strain has maintained its resistance and is capable of rapidly adapting to human hosts, posing a significant threat to public health.
A study published in The Lancet Microbe reveals that typhoid-causing bacteria have developed resistance to critical antibiotics, spreading globally since 1990. This rise threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics for treating typhoid fever infections.
Scientists detect a highly resistant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Austria, causing treatment failure with current antibiotics. The discovery highlights the urgent need for enhanced antimicrobial surveillance and development of novel treatments to combat this growing public health concern.
Researchers used bacteriophage therapy to treat 20 complex, antibiotic-resistant lung infections in a clinical trial, resulting in no adverse reactions. More than half of treated patients experienced symptom improvement or reduced bacterial presence. The study's findings advance the promise of phage therapy as an alternative to traditi...
Researchers have identified a new strain of the myxoma virus that has enabled it to leap from European rabbits to Iberian hares, causing lethal disease in both species. The study suggests that this viral adaptation may also improve the virus's ability to replicate in human cancer cells.
A multistate outbreak in 10 European countries linked to chocolate products has been linked to monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium, primarily affecting young children. The outbreak strain demonstrated a multidrug-resistant profile, highlighting the importance of including uncommon AMR profiles in early international communications.
PrEP users in Germany experienced infrequent testing, with 26.3% not following recommended frequencies for HIV, STI, and renal function testing. Regular testing is crucial to prevent missed diagnoses and manage asymptomatic STIs, particularly in MSM populations.
Researchers found that healthy companion animals and their owners can transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes to each other, highlighting the importance of hygiene practices around pets. The study suggests that even low-level shedding of bacteria by healthy carriers can pose a risk to vulnerable individuals.
Researchers have identified a key gene that confers stripe rust resistance in bread wheat, providing hope for improving crop yields and ensuring global food security. The discovery was made possible by the assembly of the highest-quality genome to date for bread wheat using advanced DNA sequencing techniques.
Fosfomycin, a long-dormant antibiotic, has been revived as a potential treatment for multidrug-resistant E. coli infections. The study involved 143 patients with invasive urinary tract infections and found effective results, offering an alternative to last-resort antibiotics.
Research suggests that genetic material from E. coli bacteria in farm animals may contribute to the evolution of deadly pandemic strains. The study found that ColV plasmids in pigs, cattle, and chickens can increase the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and extra-intestinal infections in humans.
Research from the University of Georgia reveals that compounds used to fight fungal diseases in plants are causing resistance to antifungal medications used to treat people. The study found 12 strains of Aspergillus fumigatus resistant to both agricultural and clinical azole fungicides, suggesting a link between environmental and human...
Rice University researchers developed a microfluidic platform to analyze how infectious bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics. The platform allows for controlled environments and fine-tuning of conditions, revealing previously unknown pathways to resistance.